CoGTA minister honours Kgoshi Mampuru II celebrations

The Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Richard Baloyi has described the main role of government as one of transforming the institution of traditional leaders in the country. Minister Baloyi was a guest speaker at the annual celebration of Kgoshi Mampuru II who was killed by the apartheid government in November 1883. The event took place at Mamome Tribal Authority recently.

Minister Baloyi said it was the role of government to define, locate and affirm the institution because it was always undermined. He said: “As government we are committed to continue to rewrite the history of traditional leadership as it is now distorted and we will continue to strengthen the collaboration between traditional leaders and the municipalities.”

He also appealed to traditional leaders and the royal houses to help find a solution to work with municipalities to address issues together.

“Traditional leaders' roles also include dealing with development in their own places. They should address issues of IDPs together with municipalities so as to enhance issues of service delivery in the country. Traditional leaders should lead by example in their own rights,” said Minister Baloyi.

He urged traditional leaders who attended the event to be patient with the work that government was doing concerning the chieftainship claims and disputes. He pleaded for support as the claims work continued.